Sarada Yadav, an employee at a country liquor manufacturing unit in Sonkhaman under Bolangir Sadar police limits, was found brutally murdered on Tuesday.
Police investigations revealed the involvement of four individuals from Sonkhaman village in the crime. Among them, Balram Barik, Arttatrana Chinda, and Sunil Bagh have been arrested, while one suspect remains at large. SDPO Saroj Upadhyay confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the absconding suspect soon.
The murder was reportedly motivated by a love-related dispute. Sarada, who had worked at the liquor shop for seven months, often visited Balram Barik’s grocery store, where he communicated with Balram’s wife via mobile messages. This reportedly caused tensions between the couple.
Balram allegedly sought help from Vishal Yadav, the liquor shop manager, who sent Sarada and another individual to meet Balram. Upon arrival, Sarada was attacked by Balram and his associates and left critically injured in a nearby forest. He was rescued and taken to Bhima Bhoi Medical College in Bolangir but succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation, led by Sadar IIC Rajkumar Vishwal, has so far resulted in the arrest of three accused.
